"Here's an interesting update on the whole Photopost image gallery software debacle...

Been a long time user of Photopost Pro PHP but as luck would have it, I accidentally broke it by overwriting some key component on the server. Duh. Of course, I didn't have a full backup.

But in my poking around searching for a solution, I found the support request link on the Photopost website was working so what the heck, I submitted a plea for the latest software upgrade.

Much to my surprise, the next day I heard from "Dave", Photopost Customer Support of All Enthusiast, Inc (at least according to his email) with this reply:

"The latest PhotoPost vBGallery is v3.02 from 2/4/14 and the latest PhotoPost PHP Pro is v8.5 from 7/1/14. PhotoPost is no longer being updated, supported, or sold publicly, as of a few years ago. If you would still like to upgrade, please PayPal $199 to ****@**** and we'll renew your access to download the latest, with the caveat that no support or updates will be provided."

The thought of paying $200 for old software with NO support made me shudder, but I really need it so I asked for a PayPal invoice and paid the fee upon receipt.

A day goes by with no word from them and I discover the link to their Members Area craps out with a 505 error. Concerned, I email Dave asking wassup and he fires back with this:

"... as you seem to have run out of patience with us, I have refunded your $199 payment in full and unfortunately we won’t be able to provide the latest version."

WTF??? With this I'm left with just two possible conclusions. 1) They really don't need the money or 2) it's a scam and I just dodged a bullet! I mean, good grief, selling old software with zero support is kind of a no-risk deal for them, right?

Whatever, just thought y'all might find this interesting. Now I'm searching for other more viable photo gallery software options (DBgallery doesn't do it for me).

"

"Photopost is so easy to use and they are really helpful if you have any questions"

"First of all excuse my bad english. My experiences with PhotoPost is;
reliable quality Software, in case the best for me and my users look to my orders and Homepage.
Total compatible with vBulletin, help from the Forum with tip, explanations and solution for every query.
My feeling by Photopost is secureness and this Software is the best.
Best Regards

Gerhard Reumann"

"Not recommended unless you understand PHP script and how it functions. Otherwise, you are on your own."

"Great as usual. They sent me a note in short time"

"I found shopping on PhotoPost.com to be a simple and quick procedure with the transaction going smoothly from start to finish."

"Awesome personal service - and quick!"

"Love photo post, great site and great stuff on it."

"Great software and features"

"Easy to install, professional setup both with the program and the support. A good quality product with plenty of options for any website. All in all a pleasure to shop from."

"I've had Photopost on my site for a number of years and in that time the site has been moved several times to different hosts and servers.

Along the way, bit by bit, the software stopped working. I contacted Photopost a couple of years ago just wanting to be told how much to pay for them to upgrade and fix it... the cash was waiting!!

I just got a terse email back telling me to go and purchase the upgrade. Problem was, I really wasn't sure of all the various things on their site what precisely I was required to purchase... I wanted some helpful advice... not to be snapped at.

So I left it, and gradually, over time, more bits gave up the ghost till my treasured albums worked no more.

So, I visited Photopost.com again recently, determined this time I would persevere and do whatever it took to buy their services.... that's how much I like Photopost (I wonder how many people have given up?)

I sent an email and got one back telling me to buy access to the members area. Sorry, but that's just WEIRD. This is the ONLY thing I've ever bought where before I could buy it, I'm told to buy access to a members area!! It's not that I mind, it's just that it's an odd way to sell something. Must put scores of people off.

Anyway, I did it. Then I wasn't sure whether I had to pay the $49 for an upgrade or the $59 for a new installation. I was too scared to ask, so I went for the $59 option though as I already have a Photopost, I suspect I really only needed to buy the $49 upgrade. I'll never know.

Duly then faxed all the necessary authorisations etc, and pretty soon, visited my albums and found they'd been upgraded.

Excellent, though sadly, although now they functioned to some extent, they were still not working. Basic things didn't function. Couldn't upload pix, various buttons and icons missing etc.

During email exchanges, I learnt that things needed doing to my server to make the albums work, so I got those done. (Well it was one thing really... php safe mode needed switching off, probably the problem all along.)

There's a happy ending. Everything works now except emailing all my members. Don't know why that's not working, guess I'll just have to live with it. But the albums are looking good and working well.

So what's my conclusion.

1. Very happy with an excellent product.
2. Emails are replied to VERY promptly .. great to know someone's there.
3. To be honest, when you pay good money to have something installed, they should do it properly to begin with and CHECK it works!!! Check its fully installed, check at least all the basic functions function. If they don't because of problems on your server, they should email to say "Upgrade installed, but x,y,z not working yet as there are issues on your server you need to get resolved." I'm sure they could write a little script to create an account, test upload a picture, test post a comment, report back if things don't work, delete account.

Instead, I felt like a right nuisance keep on emailing to point out bits that weren't working.

Would I recommend it ... yes, totally, it's brilliant.

However, the chap at Photopost is obviously a very busy man, and doesn't want to waste good time and keyboard characters making you feel loved and wanted as a customer. There's no hint of "have a nice day" "thanks for your custom" or "no, don't worry, I don't think you're stupid, you're not an expert, that's what we're here for".

(I sent him an email thanking him for getting it all working. A reply saying "it's a pleasure, let us know if you have any further problems" might have been nice........ or even any reply at all!)

He does however, reply very quickly to emails and resolve the issues, and he invented an excellent product, which is the most important thing of all.

* * *
PS It's also worth mentioning that despite years of accumulating problems due to server moves, not one item in my extensive albums has been lost. Everything is fine, which is pretty impressive."

"The folks at PhotoPost.com always do a good job of replying in a quick manner. After my purchase, my account was update in less than a hour and I was able to get my software almost immediately."

"Thanks for a great program that works great! Very simple and do almost anything with the system with ease."

"Photo-Post is number one photo sharing sites.best photo gallery has led you to the most feature rich, best performing, and most widely used gallery available today. "

"This business operates in complete integrity, honesty and full support of its customers. I own 2 products from them, and am considering a third. The owner / support guru is an extremely nice guy - while very to the point about any issues and fixes that may or may not need attended to. I highly recommend these folks, and have referred quite a few of my webmaster and developer buddies to him. It's hard to find quality and integrity these days, but PhotoPost.com has 110% of it.

Mr. Mark E Taborn
Florida Freemason Network"